Dayton City (part 41 of 50)

OHN J. STETTLER, a prominent farmer, was born in Miami township, Montgomery county, Ohio, January 7, 1835, a son °f Daniel and Elizabeth (Wicklet) Stettler. His great-grandfather, George V. Stettler, with his wife and five sons - William, Henry, Daniel, George and Jacob - natives of Berks county, Pa., settled in Miami township about 1802, locating one mile southwest of Miamisburg, where the father died April 23, 1815. His son, Daniel, grandfather of John J., was born in Berks county, Pa., in June, 1773; was married in 1810 to Catherine Gehres, also a native of the Keystone state, but who came to Butler county, Ohio, with her family about 1802. She was born in 1783 and had four children by her union with Mr. Stettler - Daniel, Hannah (Mrs. Jacob Shy), Philip and George. Daniel, the father, was in the war of 18 12, and died in Miami township in June, 1853, his wife surviving him until November 27, 1863. Both Daniel and his father, George V., were large landholders, and it was at the cabin of the Stettlers that one of the early churches was organized in 1806, which organization is yet in existence. Daniel Stettler, father of John J. and the eldest son of Daniel and Catherine (Gehres) Stettler, was a farmer by occupation and spent all his life in Miami township. His children were

John J. Stettler was reared in Miami township, where most of his life has been spent in farming, in which he has been very successful. In 1861 he married Loretta, daughter of Daniel Hohn, of Miami township, and has two children - Flora A. (Mrs. Isaac Eck) and Irvin P. Mr. Stettler is a member of the Lutheran church, in politics is a democrat, and is an estimable citizen. The Stettler family, it will be perceived from the foregoing, is one of the oldest in Montgomery county, and for nearly a century has guarded and promoted its material and moral progress.

OHN HENRY STAMM, an ex-soldier of the late Civil war, and a prominent citizen of Miamisburg, Ohio, was born in Berks county, Pa., in the town of Stouchsburg, September 20, 1839, and is a son of Moses and Lydia (Heckerman) Stamm, both of whom were natives of Berks county, Pa. The father of Moses Stamm was named John, a native of Holland, and was among the pioneer settlers of Stouchsburg, Pa. The maternal grandfather of John H. Stamm, Henry Heckerman, was a native of Pennsylvania.

John H. Stamm was reared in his native county in Pennsylvania, was educated in the public schools and afterward learned the painter's trade. In 1858, removing to Miamisburg with his parents, he worked there with his father at the plasterer's trade, but since 1864 he has followed his own trade, that of painter, with gratifying success.

On February 28, 1862, Mr. Stamm was married to Eliza E. Myers, daughter of Isaac and Lydia (Wirick) Myers, of Miamisburg. To this marriage there have been born sixteen children, twelve of whom are still living, as

Fox; Clarence, Harley, Herbert, Frank, Edith, Milton, Hermydell, John, Homer and Wilbur. During the late Civil war Mr. Stamm was a private soldier in company D, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, serving one year and being honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service. In politics he is a democrat. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a member of the German Reformed church, as is also his wife, who is a woman of many virtues, a devout and exemplary Christian lady. Mr. Stamm was a gallant soldier and did faithful duty during the term he served in defense of the flag of his native land. His course in civil life has been that of a useful and upright citizen.

AMUEL STIVER, Sr., a widelyknown farmer of German township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born here February 21, 1817, a son of John and Margaret (Wolf) Stiver, who were natives, respectively, of Lancaster and Dauphin counties, Pa.

The Stiver family are direct descendants from the Rev. John Casper Stiver (the name in his day being spelled Stoever), a pioneer Lutheran minister, who came to America from Germany in 1728, and labored chiefly among his countrymen of Lebanon and Lancaster counties, Pa., dying in that state in 1779, in his seventy-second year.

John Casper Stiver, grandson of the reverend pioneer, was the patriarch of the family in Twin Valley, Ohio, and it was he who modernized the spelling of the family name. He was born in Lebanon county, Pa., and came to German township, Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1806, being accompanied by his family, comprising his wife and three sons, Frederick, Casper and John. The last named of these sons, John Stiver, the father of Samuel, purchased a farm on Little Twin creek (which farm is now the property of Samuel Stiver, Sr.), and became one of the leading citizens of this neighborhood. He was thrifty and prosperous as a farmer, and a man of very decided traits of character. He was very active in church affairs, and with his father and brothers assisted largely in the organization of the Lutheran church in Germantown in 1809. His influence was such that he generally carried his point when any question was to be decided, socially, politically or religiously. He reared a family of ten children, who were born in the following order: Barbara,

John, Frederick, Michael, Catherine (Mrs. Frederick Dill), Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob Weis), Susannah (wife of Christian Herr), Barbara (twin sister of Susannah and wife of Andrew Cotterman), Samuel and Elias - the two last named being the only survivors.

Samuel Stiver, Sr., whose name opens this biography, has always resided in German township. He was educated in all the subscription and district schools had to offer in the way of instruction, and has always been recognized as one of the most progressive and successful farmers of the township and county. March 4, 1841, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Emerick, daughter of George and Mary (Good) Emerick, residents of German township, but natives, respectively, of Maryland and Virginia. To the union of Samuel Stiver, Sr., and Catherine Emerick have been born six children, viz: Benjamin

Samuel Stiver, Jr., was born on the Stiver homestead in German township, September 5, 1846, received a fair education in the common schools, remained on the homestead until

1870, and then settled on his present farm of 100 acres, of which he completed the purchase in 1880. January 6, 1870, he married Miss Leah Harp, daughter of Abraham and Mary (Peters) Harp, of Jackson township, Montgomery county, and this union has been blessed with three children, viz: Lydia, wife of William O. Haller; Adam and Amanda J. Adam, married, February 11, 1897, Pearl A. Moyer, daughter of William S. Moyer, of German township. The family are members of the Lutheran church, and in politics Mr. Stiver is a democrat.

He possesses all the sterling qualities of his forefathers and stands among the for«most of the citizens of German township, both as a man and as a representative farmer.

ENRY PETER TREON, an old and well-known farmer of Miami township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Germantown, in the same county, October 29, 1819, and is a son of Dr. Peter Treon, a native of Berks county, Pa., who settled in Miamisburg, Montgomery county, in 18 1 1, and became one of the eminent physicians and surgeons of the western part of Ohio.

Christian Treon, grandfather of Henry P. , was a native of France, and sailed from the port of Cowes, England, on the ship Duke of Wurtemberg, arriving in Philadelphia, Pa., October 20, 1752. He had been a distinguished surgeon in the French army, his ancestors having also been physicians, and he became the progenitor of the Treon family in America.

In February, 1818, Dr. Peter Treon and Dr. John Treon, his nephew, together with Emil Gebhart and Jacob Kercher, platted the first town lots in Miamisburg. Dr. Peter Treon was also associated for some years with the same nephew in various other business enterprises, and later conducted business on his sole account, dealing in horses, mules, etc., and also in real-estate, accumulating a competency, and at his death leaving our subject 160 acres of land in Shelby county, Ind.

Henry P. Treon was reared in Germantown until seventeen years of age, when he came to Miamisburg and entered the employ of his father, with whom he remained until the latter's death. Since 1843 he has been engaged in farming and has lived on his present farm in Miami township ever since that date. Mr. Treon has been twice married; his first wife, whom he married March 22, 1842, was Sarah, daughter of Jacob Eagle, of Miami township, and of the two children born to this union one still survives - Rachel, now the wife of William Leis. Mrs. Treon died February 4, 1879, and the second marriage of Mr. Treon took place September 16, 1880, with Mary Haynes, of Washington township, who died December 25, 1894. Mr. Treon is a devoted member of the Lutheran church and superintended the erection of the Saint John's Lutheran church edifice in Miami township, and also superintended the building of the brick school-house in his district; in his politics he is a democrat, and has ever been a truly useful and energetic citizen in the work of promoting the public welfare.

ILLIAM STIVER, a retired farmer of Montgomery county, Ohio, is a native of German township, and was born January 27, 1844, a son of Samuel and Catherine (Emerick) Stiver. The genealogy of Mr. Stiver will be found in full in the biographies of Samuel Stiver, Sr., and Samuel Stiver, Jr., immediately preceding this memoir, and, therefore, a repetition of the same is not here necessary.

William Stiver was reared to farming on the old Stiver homestead in German township, and there worked in that honorable vocation until thirty-five years of age. In the spring of 1880 he rented what was known as the Kercher farm, on which he resided for three years ; he then purchased the farm of sixty-two acres, now owned by John Miller, but which Mr. Stiver occupied until 1892. In 1893 he retired to Miamisburg, where he is passing his days in quietude, having, through his skill and industry as a husbandman, been enabled to retire from active labor.

The marriage of Mr. Stiver took place September 20, 1874, to Sarah Nicholas, daughter of William and Catherine (Bovinger) Nicholas, of Jefferson township, Montgomery county, and to this union have been born ten children, in the following order: Francis M. , Charles

A., Perry J., John H., Joseph A., Dora A., Clara B., Ina. G., Edward A. and William C. Mr. and Mrs. Stiver are members of the Lutheran church, and in politics Mr. Stiver has been a life-long democrat.

Having been a tiller of the soil for so many years, Mr. Stiver has naturally done much toward the improvement of German township and the enhancement in value of its farming land, and he is a worthy example of that best class of agriculturists whose thrift and good citizenship are large factors in the prosperity of the nation.

ISAAC TREON, a successful business man of Miamisburg, and one who stands high in the estimation of the general public, was born in Miamisburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, June 29, 1861. He is a son of Dr. Isaac and Mary (Allen) Treon, of whom mention will be made later in this sketch. The great-grandfather of the present Isaac Treon, who was named Christian Treon, was a Frenchman, and sailed from Cowes, England, in the ship Duke of Wurtemberg, arriving in Philadelphia, Pa., November 20, 1752. Christian Treon was a distinguished surgeon in the French army, his ancestors having also been physicians; Michael Treon, his son, and grandfather of the subject, was born in Berks county, Pa., August 19, 1761. He, too, was a physician of prominence and spent all his life in the county of his birth, where he died May 28, 1828, and lies buried in the cemetery at Rohrersburg. He married Elizabeth Selzer, who was of German parentage. Their son, Isaac Treon, was born in Berks county, Pa., September 7, 1808. In 1822 he removed to Miamisburg, Ohio, and was educated at Oxford, Ohio, after attending medical lectures at Cincinnati, in 1833-34, and beginning the practice of medicine at Miamisburg in 1835. Here he was engaged in active practice for many years, and was also engaged in the drug business, dealing likewise extensively in real estate.

Dr. Isaac Treon was married three times - first to Rebecca Hoover. His second wife was Mary Allen, daughter of Isaiah and Rebecca (Rouse) Allen, of Miami township. She bore him five children, three of whom grew to mature years, viz: Michael, Lillie, wife of George

C. Weaver, and Isaac. His third wife was a Mrs. Leah Melinger. Dr. Isaac Treon died June 15, 1878, leaving a highly enviable record record for medical skill and upright manliness.

Isaac Treon, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Miamisburg, and was educated in the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1879. He began life on his own account as clerk in a drugstore, and in 1885 embarked in the drug business at Lima, Ohio, continuing thus engaged in that city for three years. Shortly afterward, on account of ill health, he traveled extensively through the west, including California, returning in 1891 to Miamisburg, and here embarked in the stove and tinware business as a member of the firm

Mr. Treon was married February 7, 1895, to Virginia Cade, daughter of William and Elizabeth Cade, of Miamisburg, and to this marriage there has been born one daughter, named Mary Caroline Treon. Mr. Treon is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Odd Fellows. Politically, he is a republican, and is regarded in the community as an eminently patriotic and good citizen. Both Mr. and Mrs. Treon are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Both are untiring in their devotion to church and religious work and are highly esteemed and useful members of society.

a APT. PORTERFIELD H.TROXEL, of Perry township, Montgomery county, is of German ancestry, his grandfather, Peter Troxel, having come from Germany many years ago. Capt. Troxel was born September 30, 1831, in Augusta county, Va., and is a son of Robert and Nancy (Cunningham) Troxel. He was educated in the common schools of Ohio, his parents having removed to Montgomery county, this state, in 1834, and settled on Tom's Run. Here young Porterfield was brought up on the farm, but received little education in school before he attained his majority, though he read and studied to good advantage in private during his leisure hours. After becoming of age he attended school for some time, and, when twenty-four years old, began teaching in the district schools, continuing this work about six years, or until the breaking out of the war. On October 28, 1861, he enlisted at Dayton, Ohio, in company E, Seventy-first Ohio volunteer infantry, under Capt. Callender, for three years, or during the war. In this company he served until January 13, 1864, when he veteranized, and continued a member of the same company until transferred to company C. He was discharged at San Antonio, Tex., November 30, 1865.

Mr. Troxel was promoted for meritorious services to fifth sergeant, in 1862, then to third sergeant, and later to first sergeant. Still later he was promoted to second lieutenant and then to first lieutenant, and for a time served as adjutant of the regiment. Later he was commissioned captain and assigned to company C, of the same regiment, and served as such until discharged. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, in the battle of Franklin (where he served as adjutant of his regiment), and also in the battle of Nashville. In addition to these he was in many smaller engagements and in numerous skirmishes. His hardest marching and campaigning was from Atlanta to Nashville, and in Texas, from Matagorda Bay to Green Lake. The latter march was made in August, the weather being very hot, and there being but little water to be had. The regiment marched thirty-five miles in one day, many of the soldiers falling out by the wayside. Capt. Troxel was at one time captured by the rebels, with six companies of his regiment, who were in due time paroled at Clarksville, Tenn. Capt. Troxel was always an active soldier, prompt and cheerful in the performance of his duty.

« After the close of the war the captain returned to Montgomery county and engaged in the manufacturing business, as a member of the firm of Munhdenk, Hiller & Troxel. He afterward engaged in farming in Perry township, and in 1882 bought a fine farm of 104 acres. He was married in March, 1866, at Pyrmont, to Sarah A. Taylor, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Hamilton) Taylor, who were the parents of the following children: James F., Martha J., Sarah A., Emeline and

Capt. and Mrs. Troxel are the parents of the following children: Stanley, Stella, James, who died at the age of nineteen; Jennie and Maud. Politically, Capt. Troxel is a republican, and takes pride in having voted for Gen. Winfield Scott, Gen. John C. Fremont and Abraham Lincoln. He is honored by all who know him as a man of integrity and of independence of character, and as a soldier who served his country well in her hour of need.

Peter Troxel, the founder of the family in America, settled in Augusta county, Va., was a farmer by occupation, and reared the followlowing children: George, Abraham, Daniel,

David, Polly, Robert, Susan and Rachael. He was an extensive farmer, owning some 400 acres of land, and lived to be ninety-six years old. His wife lived to be ninety-four.

Porterfield H., Peter, John, Daniel, Rachael, Margaretand Mary. They removed to Montgomery county in 1832, settling in Perry township. Mr. Troxel was a member of the United Brethren church, and was a man of high character, and died when he was fifty-six years of age. He had two sons in the Civil war, Robert and Porterfield H. , the former of whom was in the Seventeenth Ohio battery, and was with Gen. Grant in the Vicksburg campaign.

Archibald Patrick, the maternal greatgrandfather of Capt. Troxel, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was wounded at the battle of Guilford Court House.

EZEKIAH B. ULM, infirmary director and retired farmer, now a resident of the city of Miamisburg, was born near Monroe, Butler county, Ohio, January 29, 1843. He is the eldest of six children now living, of the family of eleven children born to Edward and Elizabeth (Davis) Ulm, the former of German and English descent, while the latter was of Welsh and Scotch-Irish descent.

His paternal grandfather, Daniel Ulm, was a Virginian by birth, whose ancestors were natives of Germany and pioneers of Virginia, and among the very early settlers of Ohio, first locating in Pike' county, and later in Monroe and Butler counties. Daniel Ulm cleared two farms in Ohio, one in Warren county and the other in Butler county, and died in Mason, Warren county, Ohio, in 1858. His children were named, Polly (Mrs Abel Reynolds), James, Sarah (Mrs. William Fitzgerald), Jane (Mrs. Abraham Bercaw) Hattan and Edward, the latter being the father of our subject. Edward Ulm was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1820, and was reared a farmer's boy, receiving a limited education in the pioneer schools. He chose and followed for his life vocation that of an agriculturist, and was a resident of Miami township from 1857 until 1891, when he removed to Franklin, Ohio, where he died April 22, 1893. His children were eleven in number, six of whom grew to maturity, viz: Hezekiah B., Martha J. (Mrs. Thomas Childs), Edward A., George A., and Eva and Hattie, twins - the former the wife of Harvey Kendall, and the latter the wife of William Evans.

Hezekiah B. Ulm grew to manhood on the farm and lived during his earlier years in Butler, Warren and Montgomery counties, he being but fourteen years of age when his parents settled in Miami township, Montgomery county. He was taught industrious habits from childhood and has led a very active life from youth up to the present time. He attended the common schools and later supplemented these advantages by attending the Monroe academy. Having finished his education, he began life as a farmer, which occupation he followed from 1 88 1 to 1896 in Washington township, this county, and was known throughout the southeast part of Montgomery county as one of the successful and well-to-do farmers.

On July 31, 1862, he enlisted in company E, Ninety-third Ohio infantry, and immediately after being mustered in, entered active service. The first engagement he participated in was that of Stone River (or Murfeesboro), Tenn., during which he received a gun-shot wound, which disabled him for further service to his country, and on September 24, 1863, he received an honorable discharge at Camp Dennison, Ohio, on account of disability. He returned home, and on the 15th of March, 1866, was united in marriage with Ella W. , daughter of George and Ellen (Wheatley) Pease, of Miami township, this county. By this marriage he has three children living: Olive, Walter K. and Herbert B.

Mr. Ulm removed, in the fall of 1896, to the city of Miamisburg, where he is most pleasantly situated. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he is a member of the G. A. R., and of the K. of P. since 1874. Politically he is a republican and was nominated in the fall of 1895 as candidate for infirmary director, to which office he was elected by a large majority. which attests the popularity that he so deservedly enjoys.

HEODORE M. WAGNER, a thriving merchant of Trotwood, Montgomery county, Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the Civil war, was born in Carroll county, 111., November 13, 1844, and is a son of Christian and Susan (Gaither) Wagner, who came to Montgomery county, Ohio, in August, 1864, living first in Wayne township, and finally settling in West Baltimore.

common-school education in his native state, and early learned the trade of shoemaking. He came to Ohio wfth his parents, and in the winter of 1864-5 enlisted, at Dayton, in company C, Eighth Ohio volunteer cavalry, to serve one year. Shortly after joining his regiment he was detailed to the post quartermaster's department at Clarksburg, W. Va. , where he served until honorably discharged in July, 1865, at the close of the war. On his return to Ohio Mr. Wagner worked for a short time at his trade in Taylorsville, Montgomery county, going thence to West Baltimore, where he followed his calling until 1877, when he settled in Trotwood. Here he embarked in merchandizing, which still occupies his attention.

The marriage of Mr. Wagner to Miss Katurah Eck took place at West Baltimore, September 28, 1868. Mrs. Wagner was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1845, a daughter of William and Susan (Hockey) Eck. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wagner three children - Clara R., Jennie M. and Charles O. Mrs. Wagner is a member of the Christian church, while Mr. Wagner has adopted the faith of the United Brethren. Fraternally Mr. Wagner is a member of Trotwood lodge, No. 754, I. O. O. F., in which he has reached the office of noble grand, and has been treasurer of his lodge and district deputy grand master. He is likewise a member of Court lodge, No. 287, Brookville, K. of P. , and of Foster Marshall post, G. A. R., of the same place. In politics he is a republican, but has never sought or held public office. He is a substantial citizen, and owns several stores and residences in Trotwood, a small farm south of town, and houses and land at Stillwater Junction, as well as land in Dayton.

Christian Wagner, his grandfather, was a native of Lancaster county, Pa., whence he moved, in an early day, to Frederick county, Md., where he died at the age of eighty-nine years. Christian Wagner, father of Theodore M., had born to his marriage five children - William H., John E., Theodore M., Adeline R. and Alice, all of whom came to Ohio excepting John E., who settled in Iowa. Their father was a republican in politics, and lived to be ninety years old - the Wagner family, indeed, being noted for longevity. William Eck, the father of Mrs. Wagner, was born in Maryland, was a farmer of Preble county, Ohio, and the father of five children - Katurah, Rosina, Minerva, Ovien and Aaron. Mr. Eck in politics was a democrat, and a substantial and highly respected citizen. He died in 1894 and his wife in 1893.

HE WAYMIRE FAMILY is one of the oldest and most highly respected in Montgomery county, Ohio, having been a resident here since 1805. John Rudolph Waymire, the founder of the family in America, was a native of Germany, and died in North Carolina at the age of eighty-five years.

Daniel Waymire, son of John Rudolph, was born in North Carolina, married Sophia Plumer, and after the birth of his first child came to Ohio (1805) and settled where the Polk church now stands in Butler township, Montgomery county, where his homestead embraced 160 acres of land, beside which he owned eighty acres in the Slashes, three miles south. At his house were held the first meetings of the members of the Christian church in his township, and he also contributed liberally toward the erection of the first house of worship, in 1816, belonging to that religious denomination, as well as to the building of the first school-house. To Daniel and Sophia Waymire were born the following-named children : Davis, Mary, Daniel, John, Catherine, Elizabeth, Sarah, Rebecca, Rosannah, Henry and Isabel.

John Waymire, the fourth enumerated of the above family, was born in Butler township, August 30, 1808, was educated in a frontier log school-house, and was taught the cooper's trade. At the age of twenty-two years he married Miss Margaret Coble, a native of Butler township, and daughter of Anthony and Mary (Coble) Coble, who settled in Butler township in 1806, and were the parents of Abraham, John, Sarah, Daniel, Margaret and Solomon. Mr. Coble was a substantial farmer, owning 160 acres of land, and died at the age of seventy-two years, a member of the Christian church. After his marriage, John Waymire settled on a farm of sixty-four acres, all in the woods, and known as Natchez Under the Hill. The tract abounded in game, and its soil was very rich, and the Stillwater river, on the banks of which it was situated, swarmed with choice fish, and the two afforded abundance of food at no cost. Nevertheless, Mr. Waymire worked industriously and increased his acreage to 235, which he fully improved. To his marriage with Miss Coble were born four children, viz : Isaac, Sarah, Daniel W.

and Hamilton. Mrs. Waymire was called away, and Mr. Waymire married Elizabeth Woodhouse, daughter of Henry Woodhouse, and to this union was born one son, John. Mr. Waymire died an honored man, and left behind a family that is still highly respected by the residents of Butler township.

OSEPH WEAVER, M. D., the oldest male resident of Miamisburg, Ohio, and one of the most prominent citizens of the place, was born three miles south of Dayton, December 22, 1816. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Hoch) Weaver, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Montgomery county, Ohio, in the year of his birth. His father, George Weaver, a farmer by occu-

Joseph Weaver, when but twelve years old, located in Miamisburg, and worked for Drs. Isaac and John Treon for his board, clothing and education, until he was eighteen years of age. For four years subsequently he remained with them as a student of medicine. In the winter of 1836-37 he attended a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical college of Cincinnati, and in 1838 began the practice of his profession at Miamisburg. Soon afterward he engaged in the drug business, in which he continued for three years in connection with his medical practice. He then sold out the drug business and confined his attention to his profession, in which he successfully continued until 1870, a period of thirty-two years. In 1873 he embarked in the lumber business, in which he still continues, and in 1884 he erected a large planing-mill, which he has since operated. Since 1889 he has also been engaged in the coal business. For many years he has dealt in real estate, and has erected a large number of houses in Miamisburg, several of which he still owns.

Dr. Weaver was married, in 1841, to Fannie Swar, daughter of John and Susan (Kauffman) Swar, of Miamisburg, and to this marriage there were born several children, as follows: Minerva (Mrs. Rev. H. N. Weaver),

John, Charles, Nora (Mrs. Dr. William Shuler), Anna (Mrs. John Walters), Louisa (Mrs. William Kauffman), and Clara. The doctor has twenty-two grandchildren. He is a member of the German Reformed church; in politics, originally a whig, he has been a republican since that party was organized. His first presidential vote was cast for Gen. William Henry Harrison, in 1840, and his last for Gen. Benjamin Harrison, in 1892. Dr. Weaver's memory is perfect, and his reminiscenses of early days are exceedingly interesting. In the sixtyeight years of his residence in Miamisburg, the older generations have all passed away, and he stands now, hale and vigorous, nearly alone, but apparently with many years of active life and usefulness before him, the only representative of the men who knew the place before it became a town and the only one living who assisted in its organization.

ENRY WEAVER, the well-known retired blacksmith of Miamisburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Van Buren township, of the same county, October 26, 1825, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Hoch) Weaver, natives of Lancaster county, Pa.

John Weaver, the paternal grandfather of Henry, was also a native of Lancaster county, Pa., but was one of the pioneers of Montgomery county, Ohio, having come to this state in 1806. He entered, or purchased, a large tract of land in Van Buren township, cleared up a fine farm for himself and family, and at his death was able to endow each of his children with a handsome piece of farm land.

Joseph Hoch, the maternal grandfather of Henry Weaver, was likewise a native of Lancaster county, Pa., and a pioneer farmer of Miami township, Montgomery county, Ohio.

George Weaver, father of Henry, settled in Van Buren township in 1816, and cleared up a farm, on which he passed the remainder of his life. To his marriage with Elizabeth Hoch were born twelve children, of whom eleven grew to maturity, viz: William, George, Jeremiah, Joseph, Lucy A. (Mrs. Jacob Drayer), Mary A. (Mrs. Richard M. Miller), Henry, Isaac, Sarah (Mrs. David Furlong), Elizabeth (Mrs. Dr. John Treon), and Daniel.

township, where he received a fair education in the pioneer log school-house, and where he served two years as an apprentice to a blacksmith. Having fully learned the trade, he worked as a journeyman for five years, and then established a shop of his own in his native township, which shop he conducted for another period of five years, and then came to Miamisburg, where he passed thirteen years in the prosperous prosecution of his trade, and at the end of that period was enabled to retire to private life and to live on the competency his industry and thrift had so worthily gained him.

Henry Weaver was happily married, in 1850, to Barbara A. Kauffman, daughter of Henry and Maria (Bear) Kauffman, of German township, and to this union have been born eight children, of whom six grew to maturity, viz: Amos; Mary, who is the wife of Miles Blossom; Etta, widow of Amos K. Clay; Harry, Theodore, and Lizzie E., who died in March, 1893.

Mr. Weaver, now one of the most substantial citizens of Miamisburg, has owned and occupied his present residence since 1873. He is surrounded by a circle of pleasant neighbors and sincere friends, in whose esteem he holds a high position, and is also much respected by the community at large. Although a democrat in his party affiliations, he has never been a partisan in the office-seeking sense of the word, but has contented himself with giving voice to his principles through his vote at the polls.

Eorge Washington Weaver

EORGE WASHINGTON WEAVER, the pioneer and most prominent merchant of Miamisburg, was born in Miami township, Montgomery county, Ohio, September 27, 1824. He is a son of Philip and Magdalena (Gebhart) Weaver, and i» of Swiss origin. His paternal grandparents were Jacob and Margaret (Gebhart) Weaver, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1804, settling on Little Bear creek, Jefferson township, Montgomery county. Here Mr. Weaver cleared and improved a farm, upon which both he and his wife lived the rest of their lives. Jacob Weaver was born February 28, 1762, and was a son of Jacob

Weaver, of Alsace-Lorraine, who was one of three brothers who were driven from their native land by religious persecution during the last century.

Jacob Weaver, grandfather of George W., was the father of ten children, as follows: Henry, a soldier in the war of 1812; Michael, Jacob, Peter, Philip, John; Magdalena, wife of Jacob Beachler; Gretchen, wife of George Gebhart; Eva and William. Of these children, Philip, the father of George W. Weaver, was a farmer, and a most industrious, temperate Christian gentleman. His death occurred July 12, 1851, when he was fifty-three years of age. His wife, Magdalena Gebhart, was a daughter of George and Elizabeth Gebhart, who came from Pennsylvania, and settled in Miami township, Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1805. Their children who grew to maturity were as follows: William; Elizabeth, wife of Nelson Shade; George W. ; Rachel, wife of Eli Eck; Malinda, wife of Daniel Bookwalter; John P. , Jacob; Lavina, wife of Wilson Gebhart; Noah; and Magdalena, wife of Philip Weaver.

George W. Weaver, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the old homestead and remained there until he was twenty-one years of age. The education he received was limited to that furnished by the common schools of his youthful days. In 1845, with a borrowed capital of $150, he embarked in the grocery business at Miamisburg, and in this business he has been engaged ever since, meeting with all the success that could be desired.

In 1 86 1 he added a hardware department to his business, and has always been and still remains the leading and most extensive merchant of the place. For twenty-five years he was a large dealer in agricultural implements, buggies, etc., and in this department of trade was as successful as in those of groceries and hardware.

Mr. Weaver was married October 8, 1845, to Rebecca Rowe, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Squires) Rowe, and has eight children, as follows: Sarah M., wife of H. C. Hoff;

Ellen, wife of R. J. Smith; Mary A. L., wife of F. C. Ampt; George C., Charles E.; Louisa E., wife of Robert G. Weber; Emma C. , wife of Franklin Alter; and Harry C. Mr. Weaver is a member of the Reformed church, and has held the offices of deacon, treasurer and trustee. In politics he is a republican, and in every relation of life has always been recognized as a man of the highest integrity and honor, enjoying the regard of both the social and business elements of the community.

*ILLIAM PERRY WEAVER, M. D., one of the most successful and prominent physicians of Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Jefferson township, this county, October 8, 1851. He is the son of William and Sarah (Beck) Weaver. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Weaver, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., December 28, 1762, and settled in Jefferson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1805. In this township he cleared and improved a farm, on which he lived the rest of his life. His father, Jacob Weaver, came from Alsace- Lorraine, and in early manhood settled in Pennsylvania, serving later as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The wife of Jacob Weaver, pioneer of Montgomery county, Ohio, was Margaret Gebhart, who bore him ten children, as follows: Henry, a soldier in the war of 1812; Michael, Jacob, Peter, Philip, John, Magdalena (Mrs. Jacob Beachler); Gretchen, (Mrs. George Gebhart); Eva, and William, the latter being the father of the subject of this biographical sketch.

William Weaver was born on the old homestead in Jefferson township, September 25, 1 81 1, and was reared as a farmer and a distiller, conducting the latter business on Bear creek. He lived and died on the old Weaver homestead, his death being caused by injuries accidentally received, January 24, 1857. His wife was a daughter of Richard and Susan (Snepp) Beck, the former of whom was a native of England, at one time a resident of Montgomery county, and later a large landholder on the Wabash river, near Fort Wayne, Ind. William Perry was the only child of the marriage of William and Sarah (Beck) Weaver.

William Perry Weaver, M. D., was reared in his native county, was educated primarily in the public schools thereof, also in Notre Dame university and in Wittenberg college. In 1868 he began the study of medicine by taking a course of lectures at Miami Medical college, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and finished his medical education at the Cincinnati college of Medicine & Surgery, graduating from this institution in 1871. Locating immediately in Miamisburg, he has since had an extensive practice and has established himself in the confidence of the public to the fullest extent.

Dr. Weaver was married, October 31, 1871, to Katie Burnett, daughter of Patrick C. and Mary (Coughlin) Burnett, of Cincinnati. By this marriage he has two children, W. Burnett and Genevieve. Dr. Weaver is a member of the Montgomery county Medical society, and has been a surgeon of the Big Four Railroad company for upward of fifteen years. He has been assistant surgeon of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad com- pany since 1894. He is a member of the board of health, and is a stockholder and director of the Miamisburg Twine & Cordage company. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in politics a republican. In all respects Dr. Weaver is a man worthy of confidence and esteem, and enjoys the high regard of all who know him.

a KRISTIAN WEBER, a representative business man and citizen of Miamisburg, was born in Ruxheim, Germany, February 14, 1826. He is a son of Christian and Anna M. Weber, who came to the United States in 1837, locating in Buffalo, N. Y. , where the former, who was a weaver by trade, resided until his death. He was a most excellent man, and, dying, was mourned greatly by all who knew him.

Christian Weber, the younger, was reared in Buffalo from the time he was eleven years of age, receiving a limited education in the public schools. At the age of eighteen he established himself in business as a wholesale and retail tobacco and cigar dealer, in which he was successfully engaged for nine years in Buffalo. In 1853 he removed to New York city, where he was engaged in the wholesale tobacco trade until 1862, in the meantime traveling extensively through the tobacco-growing sections of the country, buying largely for himself and others. In the year last mentioned he removed to Miamisburg, Ohio, and has since resided in that thriving place, being occupied from 1862 to 1880 in buying and selling tobacco, and meeting with uniform success.

Mr. Weber was married in 1862 to Miss Lucella M. Grove, daughter of George A. and Christiana ( Kercher ) Grove, of Miamisburg. By this marriage he has seven children living, as follows : Robert G., Amelia, Edmund C.,

Mr. Weber was one of the organizers of the Citizens' National bank, of Miamisburg, and is a stockholder and director of the bank at the present time. He is also a stockholder and director of the Kauffman Buggy .company, and is largely interested in other important enterprises. Prior to the war Mr. Weber was a whig, but since then has been a democrat. Both he and his wife are members of the Reformed church, of Miamisburg, and maintain an excellent standing, both in religious and social circles. They are doing all in their power to educate their children properly, and thus to make of them good and useful citizens of the republic.

*ILLIAM D. WELSH, an enterprising farmer and citizen of Miami township, Montgomery county, was born in Clear Creek township, Warren county, Ohio, November 28, 1836, a son of Samuel and Jemima (Blackford) Welsh, natives of Harper's Ferry, Va., and Warren county, Ohio, respectively. On the paternal side he is of Scotch-Irish descent. His maternal grandfather, Nathaniel Blackford, was a native of New Jersey, and one of the pioneer farmers of Clear Creek township, Warren county, Ohio, where he died; Samuel Welsh was one of the later settlers of Warren county and was a carpenter by trade, but in later life engaged in farming, and died in Clear Creek township, in 1879. His children were named Catherine (Mrs. Joseph Githens), Mary (Mrs. Thomas Link), William D., John B., James, Ruth, Emma (Mrs. Jacob Swanager) and Nathaniel.

William D. Welsh was reared in Clear Creek township, Warren county, Ohio, and in Union county, Ind. In 1855 he located in Miami township, Montgomery county, where he has

December 23, 1862, Mr. Welsh married Miss Anna E., daughter of John and Jane (Vandever) Crain, of Miami township, and has three children: Charles, Bert, and John C.

During the late Civil war Mr. Welsh was a member of company B, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry; he enlisted in May, 1864, and was honorably discharged, at the expiration of service, in September, 1864. He is in politics a republican. His course through life has been such as to win the respect of all who know him, as he has filled all his duties, as civilian and soldier, with an eye single to the welfare of his fellow-men.

AMUEL WENGER, a former resident of Randolph township, now a resident of West Milton, Miami county, Ohio, is a highly esteemed citizen. He is a son of Christian and Mary (Klepinger) Wenger, and was born March 5, 1835, on the old Wenger homestead in Randolph township, Montgomery county. Receiving the usual common-school education of the days of his youth, he early began to work at the varied tasks of the farm, becoming proficient in the use of the old-time scythe and cradle. He well remembers the first combined mowing and reaping machine introduced into the country. He fully appreciates the great changes made by the introduction of the various kinds of farm implements, rendering the cultivation of great tracts even easier than was the tilling of a few acres by our forefathers.

On November 29, 1858, he married Miss Elizabeth Waybright, in Randolph, she having been born July 7, 1834, on the Waybright homestead. She is the youngest of ten children born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Fetters) Waybright. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs.

Wenger lived for about five years on the Waybright homestead, and then removed to Miami county, Ohio, two miles southwest of Wes Milton, where he purchased 104 acres of his father. This farm he greatly improved and by thrift and industry added to it until he at length owned about 500 acres. In 1886 he bought a fine piece of property in West Milton, consisting of half a block of ground and a fine residence. In 1874 Mr. Wenger erected on his farm a substantial brick house, and also built a good barn and other farm buildings. Altogether his is one of the best farms and homes to be found in this part of the country. To Mr. and Mrs. Wenger there have been born the following children: Mary A., John V.,

Amanda, who died when twenty-eight years of age, and Valeria A. Mr. and Mrs. Wenger are members of the German Baptist church, and in politics Mr. Wenger is a democrat. As such he has been honored by his fellow-citizens by election to the office of township trustee, in which position he served two years, and he has also been elected to other offices. He was a member of the school board for a considerable time. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wenger are of sturdy pioneer stock and rank with the best people of the county. He stands very high for the sterling qualities of manhood which he possesses, both by inheritance and by culture, and is bringing up his children in the ways of good citizenship, realizing that the strength of the nation depends very largely upon individual character.

OHN WENGER, Sr., one of the most substantial farmers of Randolph township, and a descendant of an early pioneer of Montgomery county, was born March 6, 1837, one-half mile west of Harrisburg, in the old Wenger homestead, which was upon the national road. He is a son of

Christian and Mary (Klepinger) Wenger, for fuller mention of whom the reader is referred to the biography of Joseph Wenger, elsewhere published in this volume. He was early put to work riding the horses that tramped out the grain on the barn floor, and gaining farm knowledge during the years that should have been spent at school. His education was therefore to a considerable extent neglected. When a young man Mr. Wenger spent many a day handling a scythe or reaping grain with a cradle, beginning to swing that primitive tool in the oat-fields when he was but little more than fifteen years of age. He began to plow when between nine and ten years of age, raked hay with a hand rake, and well remembers the first farming machinery that was introduced in his part of the county.

Miami county, Ohio, Miss Mary C. Waybright, who was born in Montgomery county, near Harrisburg, and is a daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Kinsey) Waybright. Daniel Waybright was a son of Dr. Jacob and Lizzie (Fetters) Waybright, the former being one of the early pioneers of Randolph township. Jacob. Waybright was a farmer and a good citizen, and for many years a prominent practitioner of medicine in Montgomery county. Daniel Waybright was born in Randolph township, became a successful farmer, and was the father of the following children: Sarah, Mary

C. , Margaret, Lucinda, Rebecca, Salome, John and Ira. He lived to be about sixty years of age, dying in 1876. In religion, he was a Dunkard, and preached many years. He was well known for many miles around, as a man of sterling worth and character, and was highly regarded everywhere as a most energetic and useful citizen.

the time it consisted of 1 10 acres of land, which Mr. Wenger has greatly improved, and to which he has added other tracts, until at the present time he owns about 330 acres, all of which he has acquired by that industry and careful management which have made him one of the most prosperous farmers of his county. He and his wife have had the following children: David P., Martha, Lucinda, Daniel

W. , JohnH., EnosE., AnnaM., and Frank S. Mr. and Mrs. Wenger are members of the German Baptist church, and in politics, he is a democrat. Mr. Wenger's life has been a busy and useful one, and his unblemished character is recognized throughout the community which has always been his home.

OSEPH WENGER, one of the reliable farmers of Randolph township, is a son of one of the ancient pioneers of Montgomery county. His grandfather was John Wenger, who was of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, was born in Pennsylvania and was married in that state to a Miss Long, by whom he had the following children: Christian, John, Joseph, Tobias, Annie, Esther, Mary, Fannie, and Barbara. John Wenger came to Ohio with his family in 1824 or 1825, settling on about 100 acres of timber land near Little York. This land he cleared of its timber, lived upon it the remainder of his days, and became a substantial farmer and a model citizen. He was a minister of the church of the Brethren in Christ, preaching the gospel many years. Attaining a great age, he died rich in the esteem of all who knew him.

Christian Wenger, his eldest son, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1806. In Pennsylvania he received a good common-school education, and came with his father and others to Ohio when he was about eighteen or twenty

Mr. and Mrs. Wenger soon after their marriage first settled near Little York, and later moved near to Harrisburg, Montgomery county, on a farm, which Mr. Wenger improved and to which he added until he owned 240 acres in a body, beside several other pieces. He gave to his children in the aggregate 1,000 acres of land, demonstrating not only his great industry, but that he was an unusually judicious manager and capable business man. He and his wife had the following children: Mary, Elizabeth, Nancy, who were born at Little York, Pa.; Samuel, John, Joseph, Amos, Levi and David, twins, and William, these seven being born on the Ohio homestead. Their parents were members of the church of the Brethren in Christ, of which Mr. Wenger was a deacon for many years. Politically he was in his earlier life an old-line whig, but later was a democrat. Of a naturally robust constitution, he lived to be eighty years of age, dying November 1, 1885, on his farm. He was endowed with the gift of saving, but was at the same time generous and was always kind to the poor and needy. He aided to build different churches in Montgomery county, and was in all ways a man worthy of the regard and confidence of the people.

Joseph Wenger, the subject of this sketch, was born April 9, 1840, on the old homestead near Harrisburg. Reared a farmer's boy, he received the common-school education of the district school. When twenty- four years old, on March 24, 1864, he married Miss Mary Ann Niswonger, who was born November 9, 1841, and was a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Warner) Niswonger. George Niswonger was a son of John and Elizabeth (Circle) Niswonger, the former of whom came from Virginia, and whose children were as follows: Rachel, George, Fannie, John, Elizabeth,

Nicholas, Nellie, Eli and Mollie. In religion John Niswonger was a member of the German Baptist church, and came to Montgomery county in 1804 or 1806, settling in Clay township, on a farm which is now owned by Frank Klepinger. He was thus among the earliest of the pioneers, the Indians not having then left the county.

George Niswonger was born in Montgomery county about 1806, growing up among the pioneers, marrying Elizabeth Warner, and rearing the following children: David, Eli,

Catherine, Mary Ann and Moses. Mr. Niswonger settled on land near Salem, consisting of 160 acres. This land he cleared of its timber and made of it a good farm and pleasant home for his family. To his original farm he constantly added other tracts until he had 500 acres. He and his wife were members of the German Baptist church, he having been a deacon for many years. Believing strongly in educating the young, he gave each of his children the best instruction possible, and lived to be seventy-four years of age, dying on his home farm. He was of the purest men of his day, honest and straightforward in his dealings, and highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wenger settled permanently on their present homestead of 120 acres, to which he added forty acres, making 160 acres in one tract, and eighty acres in another farm. Of his first homestead of 120 acres he cleared up thirty acres, greatly improved his farm, and in 1879 erected a good, substantial farm-house. To him and his wife there have been born the following children : Elizabeth , Ella, Sallie, George, Edna, William H. , Ollie Bell and Nettie C. Mr. and Mrs. Wenger are members of the German Baptist church, and have given their children good educations, so far as their means would permit. He himself was a member of the school board six years in succession. Mr. Wenger is one of the most industrious and progressive farmers of this township and county, and a substantial citizen. Aided by his faithful wife he has brought up an excellent family of children.

HMOS WENGER, one of the prominent farmers of Randolph township, is a son of Christian and Mary (Klepinger) Wenger. Amos Wenger was born April 24, 1842, on the old Wenger homestead, and received the common-school education of the day. He was brought up on the farm, and when yet a boy rode the horse while tramping out the grain on the barn floor, at a time when he should have been at school. He became an expert in the use of the old-fashioned scythe in mowing grass, and of the cradle in cradling grain. He well remembers the first combined mower and reaper that was introduced into his neighborhood, and he has kept pace with the march of progress in the manufacture of agriculture implements and their growing use upon the farm. When he was twenty-four years of age, on May 1 1 , 1 866, he married Mary Huffer, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Mary (Olinger) Huffer. John Huffer was of German ancestry, came from Maryland, and settled in Montgomery county at an early day. His children were as follows: John,

Catherine, Julia, Lizzie, Mary and Sarah. Mr. Huffer lived for some time on the Wenger homestead, consisting of about 100 acres, and then removed to Miami county, upon a farm near Pleasant Hill, where he died at about seventy years of age. He was a member of the German Baptist church.

management brought up to a high state of cultivation. He erected substantial and excellent farm buildings, and by wise thrift added to his possessions until he owned 300 acres of good farming land. To Mr. and Mrs. Wenger there were born the following children: Emma, born April 10, 1869; Lucy, born May 20,. 1871 ; Charles, born March 20, 1879; Sallie, born Febuary 19, 1881; Ezra, December 30, 1882. Mrs. Wenger died November 7, 1884, a member of the German Baptist church, and a woman of many virtues and excellent qualities of head and heart.

On December 6, 1885, Mr. Wenger married Mary Landis, a daughter of Samuel and Susannah (Erstine) Landis, and born August 22, 1858. Samuel Landis was a son of Felix Landis, who came from Pennsylvania, was a farmer, and married while yet living in Pennsylvania, Miss Elizabeth Garver. Felix Landis was one of .the earliest of the pioneers of Montgomery county, and became one of this county's most substantial citizens.

Mr. and Mrs. Wegner have two children: Albert, born December 7, 1886, and Walter, born January 17, 1897. Both are members of the German Baptist church, old order. Mr. Wenger has served as a member of the school board, and is a valuable citizen. His father, Christian Wenger, was one of the best known of the pioneers, and a man of excellent standing in every relation of life.

EVI WENGER, one of the prosperous farmers of Randolph township, and a son of one of the pioneers of Montgomery county, was born on the Wenger homestead, August 26, 1844. He is a son of Christian and Mary (Klepinger) Wenger, for fuller mention of whom the reader is referred to the biography of Joseph Wenger, elsewhere published in this volume. Levi Wenger received the commonschool education obtainable in the district schools, beginning to work early in life. When he was a boy, farm machinery had not been brought into use to any great extent, horses being used to tramp out grain. He was often employed in the winter time upon the farm, when he should have been at school. He well remembers the first combined mower and reaper that he ever saw, and other machines as they were invented and put upon the farm. He has spent many a day mowing with the oldfashioned scythe, reaping with a cradle, and raking hay with a hand-rake. The change to the present system has been very great and has been made with great rapidity, and none appreciate the march of improvement more than does the intelligent farmer.

When he was twenty-eight years old Mr. Wenger married, on September 23, 1873, Miss Amanda Smith, born in Clay township on the Smith homestead, and a daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Long) Smith. Abraham Smith was of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, from Lancaster county, Pa., and a farmer. He came to Montgomery county, Ohio, and settled at Greencastle, southwest of Dayton, where he ran a wagonmaker's shop for some years. At this place he was married and had the following children: Cyrus and Amanda, and one that died young. Mr. Smith moved to Clay township, on sixty acres of land, to which he added by thrift and industry until he owned a farm of 100 acres. He was one of the hardworking, prosperous men of his township, was a democrat in politics, and he and his wife were members of the church of the Brethren in Christ. He died in 1892 when he was seventy-five years old.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wenger lived for one year on the Smith homestead, at the end of which time they removed to the Wenger homestead, where they have since lived. This farm Mr. Wenger has greatly improved, among the improvements being a fine, large brick house and other good buildings, such as are needed on a well conducted and well regulated farm.

W., Bertha J., Rosella, Rollin, Leroy and Stella A. The parents are members of the church of the Brethren in Christ. In politics, Mr. Wenger is independent, and he is well known for his strict integrity and high character. He comes of the best pioneer stock, is the head of an excellent family, and is one of the highly honored citizens of Randolph township.

EROME WERTZ, a retired merchant of Miamisburg, and a prominent citizen, was born in Jefferson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, September 14, 1831. He is a son of Daniel and Sarah ( Weamer) Wertz, natives respectively of Franklin and Somerset counties, Pa., who settled in Franklin, Ohio, in 1808. There Mr. Wertz followed his trade, that of carpenter, until 1818, when he removed to Jefferson township, Montgomery county, where he cleared and improved a farm, and where he was engaged in the manufacture of wind mills. Upon this farm he lived the rest of his life, dying September 28, 1873. His wife died March 10, 1859. They were the parents of the following children: Catherine, wife of Jacob Mullendore; Anthony, deceased; Mary, wife of George Getter; Sarah, wife of Daniel Lambert; Jacob, deceased; Nancy, wife of Daniel Mueky; Elizabeth, wife of Frederick Stine; Caroline, wife of Peter Lambert; Lavina, wife of Aaron Mullendore; Harriet, wife of Joseph Hartzell; Daniel; John, deceased; Jerome; and Rachael, wife of Jacob Beachler.

Jerome Wertz was reared in Jefferson township, and received a limited education in the common schools. While yet a young man he learned the tinner's trade, which he followed in Miamisburg for ten years. In 1857 he removed to Anderson, Ind., where he conducted a tin store for two years, returning to Miamisburg in 1859 and to his father's farm in i860. Upon this farm he remained until 1863, and then again returned to Miamisburg, where he was engaged in merchandizing until 1884. For five years thereafter he was engaged in farming in Jefferson township, and, in 1889, retired from active life altogether, and has since resided in Miamisburg.

Mr. Wertz, on June 9, 1858, married Sarah A. Schenck, daughter of William and Margaret (Small) Schenck, of Miamisburg, and to this marriage have been born five children, viz: William S. ; Calvin A., deceased; Laura, Alfred and Willis. During the late Civil war Mr. Wertz served his country as a member of company E, One Hundred and Thirty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service. Politically he is a republican, and he is a member of A1 Mason post, No. 508, G. A. R. In religious matters both he and his wife are Methodists, and are excellent people in all respects, enjoying the fullest confidence of all their friends and acquaintances. It will be seen that Mr. Wertz has led an active and industrious life. His business tact and thrift have won him a competence, and he is now enjoying in ease the fruits of his earlier and arduous labors.

ALTER C. WILSON, the worthy and experienced superintendent of the public schools of West Carrollton, Miami township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Jackson township, in the same county, October 9, 1862, and is a son of John R. and Susan (Oldfather) Wilson, natives respectively of Jackson and German townships, and descendants from early settlers of Montgomery county.

John Wilson, paternal grandfather of Walter C., was a native of Washington county, Pa., of Scotch-Irish descent, and in 1815 settled in Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, where he cleared up and improved a farm from the wilderness, and there resided until his death, in 1874. His wife, Susan (Ault) Wilson, was also a native of Washington county, Pa., and bore her husband twelve children, named Hiram, Joseph, Jacob, Mary A. (Mrs. Jacob Oldfather), Elizabeth (Mrs. Thomas Smith), Sarah (Mrs. Henry Oldfather), John R. , Henry, Susan (Mrs. Wesley Kline), Anna (Mrs. William H. Oldfather), Lucy (Mrs. A. M. Sterling), and Jenny.

Samuel Oldfather, maternal grandfather of Walter C. Wilson, was a son of Jonathan Oldfather, a Pennsylvanian who came to Ohio in 1804 and settled in German township, Montgomery county.

John R. Wilson, father of Walter C., was reared on a farm, but in 1867 embarked in mercantile business in Farmersville, Montgomery county, and also engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, and continued in these lines until 1876, when he became a subcontractor in the mail service, which occupied his time until 1891. During this interval he was also postmaster at Farmersville for four years. His children who grew to maturity were named Walter C., Ora, Etta (Mrs. Joshua Albaugh) and Harry.

Walter C. Wilson received his elementary education in the common schools of Jackson township and later attended the National Normal university at Lebanon, Ohio, and Antioch college at Yellow Springs, Greene county. Ohio. He began his business life as a baker, and also learned the barber's trade. In 1880 he began teaching, and in this profession discovered his forte, which he has since pursued with much credit and success. His first graded school was at South Lebanon, Warren county, where he taught one year; he then went to Bellbrook, Greene county, and taught four years; since 1890 he has been superintendent of the public schools in West Carrollton, in which position he has given the greatest satisfaction to the community and won for himself an enviable reputation. For six years, 1890 to 1896, he has also been associate principal of the normal department of Antioch college.

Mr. Wilson was united in marriage, September 18, 1884, with Miss Amanda Snethen, daughter of George and Catherine (Stahl) Snethen, of Warren county, Ohio, and to them have been born three children: Clyde S.,

K. Grace and Morris C. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics Mr. Wilson is a democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the O. U. A. M. , and socially he and his wife enjoy a very high standing.

ANIEL W. YOUNG, Sr., of Miamisburg, and a retired hotel proprietor, was born in Munichweiter, Rhine province, Germany, January 16, 1839. He is a son of Daniel and Wilhelmina (Von Brecht) Young, his paternal grandparents having been Philip and Catherine (Weber) Young, and his maternal grandparents, Julius Von Brecht and wife.

Daniel W. Young's early education was received in the public schools of his native country, and in his twelfth year he was admitted to the university at Speyer, with the view to being trained for the ministry of the Evangelical Protestant church. He had previously attended an art training school and had become proficient as an ornamental painter. And as will be seen, later on, this latter training entered, in part, into his future course of life. In 1853 he sailed for the United States from Havre, on the ship Arlington, and, after a tedious voyage of sixty days, landed in New York. From this city he went by canal to Buffalo, and thence by rail to Saint Louis, where he joined his uncle, Peter Weber, a 'noted musician, who sent him to Walter & Cook's business college, from which institution he graduated with honor in the spring of 1856. He was next employed as clerk and steward in a hotel, remaining in this position for two years. In 1858 he went to Zanesville, Ohio, where he was employed in a confectionery store until the fall of 1859, when he removed to Miamisburg. In i860 he entered the employ of Bookwalter & Kauffman, carriage builders, as foreman of their painting department, and was engaged with them, and the various firms that succeeded to that business, for a period of nearly eleven years. In 1870, having purchased the Valley house, he engaged in the hotel business, and conducted this hotel for two and a half years. Selling out the Valley house, he removed to Dayton, and there conducted the Galt house for three years, at the end of which time he returned to Miamisburg, purchased the Arcade restaurant, thoroughly renovated and remodeled the building, and conducted the restaurant until 1888. He then took charge of what is now known as the Hotel Young, and carried on a successful business until 1895, when he retired from active participation in business affairs.

In 1891 Capt. Young went to Germany, on a visit to his aged mother and other relatives, this being his first visit to his native land after he left there in 1853. In 1861 he married Elizabeth Jacobus, daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Graff) Jacobus, of the Rhine prov-

Henry, Daniel W. , Jr., and Charles. During the late Civil war Capt. Young served in the Morgan raid, and, notwithstanding he was the youngest member of his company, he was elected captain. He now has in his possession three commissions that were given him, one as captain of company I, Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry; one as captain of company D, Seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, and one as captain of company E, Thirteenth Ohio volunteer infantry.

Fraternally Capt. Young is a member of Schiller lodge, No. 38, I. O. O. F., of Dayton, of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Miamisburg, and was the founder of and is past grand master of Mozart lodge, A. O. U. W. He is at the present time serving his second term as grand master of the D. O. H. Among other positions of trust that he has held may be mentioned that of president of the Miamisburg Cemetery association, which he has held for the past eight years, and under his efficient management of the affairs of the association the cemetery has been brought into a condition of high perfection and beauty. In politics Capt. Young is a democrat, and a man of high character and undoubted patriotism.

ARRISON WOLPERS, a prominent dry-goods merchant of Germantown, Ohio, was born in Germantown, November 1 1, 1845, a son of Charles O. and Louisa (Schwartz) Wolpers.

Charles O. Wolpers was a native of the duchy of Brunswick, Germany, born in 1795, came to America in 1814, and settled in Germantown, where soon after his arrival he opened a store near Gunckel's mill. Beginning on a small scale, he gradually enlarged his operations in proportion to the demands of trade. After some years of success he erected a business structure on the lot now occupied by the dry-goods establishment of H. Wolpers & Co., where he continued business for a short time. He spent several years, also, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, which was then called Bellville, but Mr. Wolpers changed the name to Bellefontaine, which it has ever since retained. On his return to Germantown he engaged in the drug business, and was also interested in a distillery. He was a well-educated man, a classical and scientific scholar, and was a diligent student throughout his life. He was also a practical chemist, and erected a laboratory, where he manufactured various articles for medical purposes. In 1824 he married Louisa Schwartz, daughter of Dr. Schwartz, of Baltimore, Md., who was a native of Germany and a Revolutionary soldier. To Mr. and Wolpers were born eight children, three of whom grew to maturity - Frederika, Vandalena (Mrs. Lewis Eminger), and Harrison, our subject.

Harrison Wolpers was reared and educated in Germantown, and began his business career as a boot and shoe merchant in that town, in 1 865. In this he continued one year and since 18 66 has been in the dry-goods business, as a member of the firm of D. L. Oblinger & Co., Oblinger & Wolpers, as H. Wolpers, and since 1892 as H. Wolpers & Co., the business having been established by Gabriel Oblinger in 1825.

May 2, 1870, Mr. Wolpers married Eliza J., daughter of Joseph F. and Eva ( Coblentz) Kemp, of German township, the marriage resulting in the birth of six children, five now living: Eva (Mrs. Edwin Chryst), Charles

F., Frank, Lulu and Laura ; and one, Harry, deceased. Mr. Wolpers is a member of the Lutheran church and of the F. & A. M. In politics he is a republican, and during the late Civil war he held the offices of assistant asses- sor and and assistant deputy collector of internal revenue. He has been a member of the Germantown school board for nine years and has always done his full duty as a citizen, while as a business man he has met with abundant success and prosperity.

EVI ZEHRING, a retired farmer of Germantown, Ohio, was born in German township, Montgomery county, June 15, 1819, a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Bonebrake) Zehring. His paternal grandfather, Lewis Zehring, was a native of Lebanon county, Pa., and a son of Henry Zehring, who was a son of Ludwig Zehring, a pioneer of Lebanon county, Pa., his ancestors being from Baden, Germany.

Peter Zehring was born in Lebanon county, Pa., November 2, 1793. He was educated in his native state, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, and in May, 1816, settled in German township, Montgomery county, Ohio, and followed his vocation until 1818, when he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Dewalt and Christiana Bonebrake. He then engaged in farming, clearing and improving most of the farm of 136 acres on which he settled, and where he died August 8, 1858. Both he and his wife were members of the United Brethren church. In politics Mr. Zehring was a stanch democrat.

Levi Zehring, the only child of Peter who grew to maturity, was born and reared on the old homestead, and received a limited education in the schools of his day. He continued to live on the homestead until 1882, when he retired and removed to Germantown, where he has since resided. He was an industrious and able farmer, and made many improvements on the old homestead. He married, February 5, 1846, Ann Maria, daughter of Barnard and Elizabeth (Swartzly) Zehring. She was the granddaughter of Philip Swartzly, one of the pioneers of Montgomery county, who helped to lay out the present city of Dayton. Mr. Zehring has one son living, Amos, of whom mention will be made hereafter. Mr. Zehring is one of the best known citizens of German township. While not a member of any church, he is a believer in Christianity, and is a supporter of the United Brethren denomination; in politics he is a democrat.

Amos Zehring, a prominent farmer of German township, was born on the Zehring homestead, where he now resides, December 28, 1847, and is the only son of Levi and Anna M. (Zehring) Zehring. He reached the years of manhood in his native township, where he received a common-school education. He has always followed farming as an occupation, and, with the exception of four years, has always lived on the old Zehring homestead. In September, 1871, he married Mary, daughter of John P. Hildreth, of Jay county, Ind., and has five children - Oscar O., Eva M., Willie A., Levi E. and Aaron Earl. Mr. Zehring is a member of the United Brethren church, is president of the township school board, and in politics is a republican. He is honored wherever known, and is a most well-to-do farmer, as well as an excellent citizen.

ON. LEWIS HENRY ZEHRIN^, mayor of Miamisburg, and familiarly known as Judge Zehring, was born in Miamisburg July 12, 1840, son of Samuel and Mary (Wenger) Zehring.

In his native town Judge Zehring grew to manhood, securing a good education in the public schools. At the age of twenty years he began teaching school, and followed that vocation for twelve years, and during a part of that time was also engaged in farming. He was principal of the grammar department of

Miamisburg's school for three years, and taught a select school one year. In 1874, while on the farm, he was elected justice of the peace, and the following year removed to Miamisburg, where he has since resided and through successive re-elections has continuously held the office. For two years he served in the city council, and as mayor seven years, and is the present incumbent of that office, and for four years rendered efficient service as a member of the board of school examiners. He has been connected with the fire department ever since 1865, with the exception of five years spent on his farm, and has been its president since 1892. From January, 1891, to January, 1894, he held the office of county commissioner, and was a member of Montgomery county's soldiers' relief committee for four years.

In 1863 he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Emanuel B. Gebhart, of Miami township, by whom he has two daughters: Laura M., wife of Oliver P.

In politics the judge is a democrat, and a recognized leader in the councils of his party. Fraternally, he is a Mason, and has attained the thirty-second degree, and for twelve years he served as worshipful master of Minerva lodge, No. 98, of Miamisburg. In all matters pertaining to the public good Judge Zehring takes a commendable interest, and as public official or private citizen has proved true to every trust reposed in him.

Illiam Henry Harrison

ILLIAM HENRY HARRISON BRIDGMAN, a prominent farmer and dairyman of Van Buren township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in that township, January 27, 1844. He is a son of Thomas and Esther (John)

Bridgman, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Thomas and Esther Bridgman were the parents of nine children, as follows: Sarah, wife of B. B. Pancoast; Mary Jane, wife of F. M. Ewry; William H. H. ; John T. ; Perry B. ; Albert Orion, Francis Marion; Laura, wife of John Shutts, and Charles G.

Thomas Bridgman, born April 15, 1803, in Jefferson county, Va., was a farmer by occupation, came to Ohio about 1827, and purchased a farm of 152 acres in Van Buren township, which he managed, and also ran a sawmill. Upon that farm he lived until his death, which occurred in 1882, when he was seventynine years of age. His widow, a native of Van Buren township, is now seventy-seven years of age. She is, as he was, a member of the United Brethren church, of which he served for some years as one of the trustees. He also served for a number of years as director of the school district in which he lived.

The paternal grandfather of W. H. H. Bridgman died in Virginia. The maternal grandfather, Asa John, was a native of Wales, and an early settler in Van Buren township. He was enterprising, industrious and successful, and accumulated a large amount of real estate both in Montgomery and in Shelby counties. His death occurred when he was eighty-two years old.

William H. H. Bridgman was reared in Van Buren township, received his early education in the district schools, and remained at home until he was eighteen years of age. On February 2, 1862, he enlisted in company D, Seventy-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, in which he served two years. Then, re-enlisting as a veteran, he served until the close of the war. Among the battles in which he participated were those of Chattanooga, Stone River, and all of those on Sherman's march to the sea. Returning home from the war he engaged in farming and threshing on his own account, with continuing success. About 1890 he also embarked in the dairy business, in which he has likewise prospered. His farm of 134 acres lies about four and a half miles southeast of Dayton, and is well improved and highly cultivated.

Mr. Bridgman was married, December 28, 1865, to Miss Adeline O. Feliows, of Niagara county, N. Y. To this marriage there were born five children, as follows: Henry Clay, Bertha, Ollie, Florence and Sidney Burke. Florence died at the age of six years in the state of New York. Mrs. Bridgman, mother of these children, died November 6. 1877, a member of the United Brethren church. On November 18, 1885, Mr. Bridgman again married, his second wife being Miss Hannah Dedrick, daughter of David and Mary (Altick) Dedrick. By this marriage he has one child, Maud Marie. Mr. and Mrs. Bridgman are members of the United Brethren church, and Mr. Bridgman is a member of Montgomery lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., also of Earnshaw post, No. 590, G. A. R. He is also a member of the Union Veteran Legion, camp No. 145. Politically he is a republican, but has never sought or held office.

most prosperous farmers of Mad River township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Perry township, that county, on the banks of Tom's Run, October 11, 1825. He is a son of John and Phoebe (Nevius) Clemmer, natives of Pennsylvania and of Virginia, respectively. They were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are still living, as follows: Frances,

John Clemmer, the father of William, was a farmer by occupation, and served in the war of 1 8 1 2. He came to Ohio about 1 820, located in Perry township, Montgomery county, and lived there the rest of his life. He died about i860, when eighty-two years of age, his wife having died some six years before. Both were members of the German Reformed church. The father of John Clemmer reared a family of ten children, and died in Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather of William Clemmer was a farmer by occupation, had a family of ten children, and died in Virginia at quite an advanced age.

William Clemmer has lived all his life in Montgomery county. Reared on the farm, his early life was that of the country lad of pioneer days. He attended the district school, remained at home until he attained his majority, and then his father gave him an opportunity to make something for himself, by working a farm on shares, and at length gave him a 1 00- acre farm, upon which he lived and which he farmed for about ten years. Selling this farm, he then bought 144 acres in Jackson township, where he lived until 1872, when he traded for his present farm, which contains 183 acres.

He was married October 12, 1848, to Miss Sarah Zehring, born September 9, 1824, daughter of David and Christena (Houtz) Zehring, who were natives of Pennsylvania and became residents of Montgomery county about 1827. They had three children - Sarah, Eliza and Elias. To William Clemmer and wife have been born six children, as follows: Eliza Catherine, Orion, Celeste Mary, Florence A., Clara and Tolton, the latter of whom died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Clemmer are members of the United Brethren church, of which he is a trustee. Politically he is a republican and has served as clerk of Perry township. He has also been a school director in Mad River town- ship for a number of years. He is one of the successful farmers of Mad River township, intelligent and well informed, and always ready to take advantage of new improvements, inventions and ideas.

ONATHAN CREAGER, a farmer of Washington township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Van Buren township, this county, October 4, 1845. His parents were John C. and Sarah Ann (Prugh) Creager, both of whom are also natives of Montgomery county. To them were born eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom five of the sons and one of the daughters are still living, as follows: Jonathan,

John C. Creager, in his early life, was a carpenter and also a cooper, but in his later years he followed the occupation of a fanner. All his life has been passed in this county, with the exception of a few years spent in Darke county, where he bought eighty acres of land. Some time afterward he sold this farm and purchased one containing sixty acres in Van Buren township, Montgomery county, on which he lived about six years; he then purchased the adjoining farm, on which he now lives, containing ninety-six acres of fine land. This farm he has much improved by careful fertilizing and cultivation, and by the erection of good buildings, including a large and comfortable dwelling. Mr. Creager also owns a farm of ninety-six acres in Darke county.

Politically, Mr. Creager is a republican, and has held numerous local offices. He was school director for three years and pike commissioner for two years, in addition to the several township offices which he has filled. Both he and his wife are members of the German Reformed church. The paternal grandfather of Jonathan Creager, John Christian Creager, was of German ancestry, and was born in Maryland. The maternal grandfather, Abner Prugh, was also a native of Maryland, was one of the early settlers of Montgomery county, Ohio, and died in this county at the great age of 101 years.

Jonathan Creager was born in Van Buren township, but was reared in Washington township, Montgomery county, Ohio, and received his early education in the district schools. Being the eldest of the family, most of the farm work fell to his share, and thus his educational advantages were more limited than they otherwise might have -been; but he has, since attaining his majority, improved his opportunities for reading and observation, and has in this way become a well-read and wellinformed man. He remained at home with his parents until he attained to man's estate, and was married on the 13th day of November, 1873, to Miss Lyda A. Moats, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Shell) Moats. Mrs. Creager is a member of the German Reformed church. Mr. Creager is a member of Columbia lodge, Knights of Honor, and politically is a republican, and served with his father for one year as pike commissioner. He is a member of one of the oldest and best families in the county, and enjoys the confidence and respect of his neighbors and friends to a high degree.

AMES COOK, farmer of Washington township, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Lincolnshire, England, May 11, 1835. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Nailor) Cook, were natives of England. To them there were born seven children, five of whom are still living, as follows: William, John, James, Alfred, and Mary, widow of George Driver, and who lives in Crawfordsville, Ind. William Cook had also one child by a former marriage. William Cook was a laboring man, came to the United States more than forty years ago, and lived in Washington township, Montgomery county, for many years. At length he removed to Crawfordsville, Ind., with his daughter, Mary, and died there in 1893, at the great ageof 103 years. His wife died about forty years ago. Both the grandfathers of James Cook were natives of England, and died in that country.

James Cook was seventeen years of age when brought to the United States by his parents, and began life here with no means whatever. At the present time he has 102 acres of land in Washington township, the result of his industry and perseverance. On the 13th of October, 1869, he was married to Nannie Mc- Grew, daughter of Milton and Anna (Russell) McGrew. To this marriage there have been born three children - Milton William, Anna Miriam and Mary Rebecca. Of these, Milton William lives at home, and Anna Miriam married Frank Tizzard, of Dayton, and has one child, Hazel.

Mrs. Cook's maternal grandfather, James Russell, was one of the earliest settlers in Dayton, locating there when there was but one house in the place. Having purchased land in Washington township, he built a log cabin upon it, and then brought his family down the Ohio river on a flatboat to Cincinnati, whence he brought them by wagons to Montgomery county. He was one of the most industrious and energetic of the early settlers of Montgomery county, was one of this county's prominent citizens, serving for many years as justice of the peace, and also as a member of the state legislature. He was a man of remarkable strength, both of body and mind, and lived to be eighty-four years of age.

York county, Pa. His farm lay in the river bottoms of Washington township. In 1788 he was married, and removed to Georgetown, Ky. , the same year. In 1790 he joined the army to fight against Indians, and was in the great battle of Maumee Ford, which occurred on the present site of Fort Wayne, Ind. In 1796 he removed to Montgomery county and settled five miles south of the present site of Dayton. He became a prosperous farmer, was married twice, was a worthy member of the Baptist church, and died at the age of eighty-two years.

The father and mother of Mrs. Cook were natives of Washington township. Both were members of the Universalist church. Mr. Mc- Grew died October 27, 1868; his wife survived him until 1890, and was in her eighty-fourth year when she died, having lived over fifty years on the farm on which James Cook now makes his home.

HBRAHAM A. DENLINGER, a representative farmer of Montgomery county, came of Pennsylvania stock, which was of ancient Swiss origin. The tradition is that at an early day four brothers came to this country together, locating in Pennsylvania, and settled in different parts of that state.

The grandfather of Abraham A. Denlinger, whose name also was Abraham, was born in Lancaster county, Pa. , and became one of the prominent farmers of that county. His children were named as follows: Elizabeth, Henry, Christian, Abraham, John, Martin, Hettie, Nancy, Christina, Susan and Barbara. All of these lived to marry and to rear children of their own. Mr. Denlinger died in Lancaster county, Pa., when forty-two years of age.

Lancaster county, Pa., August 5, 1806. He was reared a farmer, and when a young man came to the state of Ohio, locating in Montgomery county in 1831 or 1832. Soon after arriving here he married Miss Margaret Miller, who was born February 27, 1806, on Wolf creek, in Harrison township, and who was a daughter of Daniel and Susan (Bowman) Miller. The former of these came to Ohio from Huntingdon, Pa., locating in Montgomery county in 1804. It was he who cut the first road up Wolf creek through the woods west of Dayton, in which town at that time there were living but three families. He was one of the most enterprising of the pioneers, entering land from the government, and purchasing a large tract, in the aggregate amounting to 2,000 acres. A large part of this land he cleared, and beside erected a saw and grist mill and a distillery. The products of these two establishments he shipped down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans, thus becoming a business man as well as a farmer. His children were as follows: Benjamin,

John, Daniel, Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Esther, Susan, Margaret, Catherine and Sarah. Mr. Miller lived to be eighty-four years of age, most of his life being a member of the German Baptist church. He was a well-known pioneer, and a man of industry and of great force of character.

After his marriage Abraham Denlinger settled on a farm of 140 acres, in Madison township, cleared it and made a good home for himself and family. To this original tract he added other lands until at length he became possessed of 400 acres. He was one of the most substantial and successful farmers of his day, and noted for his strength of character and decisive opinions on all the leading questions of the times. His children were John, Daniel, Abraham A., David, Israel, Mary and Joseph. His religious views were those of the

Quakers, while his wife was a member of the German Baptist church. The longevity for which his ancestry was noted was again illustrated in him, he living to be eighty-seven years of age, and dying at the residence of his son, the subject of this sketch.

Abraham A. Denlinger was born February 25, 1836, in Madison township, and received a good common-school education. After leaving school he continued to improve his mind by wide and careful reading and in this way became one of the best informed men of his day. Working on the farm from early youth until he was twenty-one years of age, he married Sarah Garber, March, 26, 1857. She was born March 10, 1839, and was a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Wampler) Garber, the former of whom, when yet a small boy, came with his father, Joseph, from Rockingham county, Va., and settled in Montgomery county, Ohio. Joseph Garber and Mary, his wife, were the parents of the following children: Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary A., William, Joseph, Anna, Philip, Lucinda and Jesse. Joseph Garber owned an excellent farm of 106 acres of land, which his father had cleared from the woods, and lived to be a very old man, dying when upward of eighty years of age. In religious belief he agreed with and was a member of the German Baptist church.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Denlinger settled on her father's 160-acre farm, purchasing 100 acres thereof and developing it into a fertile and productive farm. Their children were: Lavina G., Clara A.. Ira G., Annie G. , Lizzie G., Laura G., Edgar G. and Elmer O. Mrs. Denlinger died March 1, 1872, a consistent member of the German Baptist church, and on June 6, 1875, Mr. Denlinger married Annie Bowman, who was born August 22, 1852, in Randolph township, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Belinda (Hyre) Bowman. Benjamin Bowman was born in

Madison township February 4, 1811, and was a son of John and Christina Bowman, the former of whom came from Pennsylvania to Montgomery county, Ohio, as one of its pioneers. Benjamin Bowman and his wife were the parents of the following children: Isaac,

John, David (who served as a soldier in the late Civil war), Sarah, Joseph, Franklin, Annie and Lucinda. Mr. Bowman settled on a farm of 1 30 acres, became a prosperous farmer, was a member of the German Baptist church, and a highly respected citizen. His wife died March 4, 1897, aged eighty-one years. They had lived together, when Mrs. Bowman died, about sixty years.

Stella, Carl H. and Ralph R. Thus Mr. Denlinger is the father of thirteen living children, and also of one child, Roy H., now deceased. Politically, Mr. Denlinger is a democrat, and as such has held the office of township trustee for fourteen years. Fraternally, he is a member of Randolph lodge, No. 98, I. O. O. F., in which he has held all the offices, including that of noble grand, and is also a member of the encampment.

ISRAEL DENLINGER, of Trotwood, Ohio, is a son of one of the earliest of the pioneers. He was born June 7, 1840, a son of Abraham and Margaret (Miller) Denlinger, on the old homestead in Madison township. He received the usual common-school education; he was reared a farmer, and on November 28, 1861, married Miss Mollie Garber, who was born in 1844, and is a daughter of Joseph and Mary A. (Wampler) Garber.

one of the first of the pioneers, bringing with him his wife and four children - Betsey, Susie, Kate and Joseph. Joseph Garber, Sr., settled on land which he cleared from the woods, and 1 for a time lived in Randolph township. He was an elder and a minister in the German Baptist church, and preached the gospel many ; years. A successful farmer and an esteemed minister of the church, he lived to be eighty years of age, leaving the memory of a wellspent life.

Joseph Garber, the father of Mrs. Denlinger, was but a small boy when he came with his parents to Ohio. Reared as were most j farmers' boys, he became inured to labor and hardship, which gave him a strong constitution and a sound, healthy mind. He and his wife reared the following children: Martha, Catharine, Sarah, Elizabeth, Lucinda, Mollie, William, Joseph, Philip and Jesse. Mr. Garber I settled in Randolph township on 106 acres of land, which had belonged to his father, which he cleared of its timber. He was a member of the German Baptist church, and a man of ' estimable character. He lived to the age of seventy years. His wife, Mary A. Wampler, was born in Harrison township, February 22, 1816, on the Wampler homestead, and died January 29, 1847. She was a daughter of Philip and Catherine (Ryer) Wampler, the ' former of whom was a son of David and Catherine (Ingler) Wampler. David Wampler was a native of Maryland and of Dutch descent.

As one of the earliest of the pioneers of Montgomery county he was well known to many of the people of that and surrounding counties. i He was twice married, first to Mary Sanchwick, by whom he had several children, all of } whom died young but two, Mary and Philip.

David, William, John, Joseph, Samuel, and Annie. Mr. Wampler was one of the most extensive farmers of his day, owning 300 acres of land. Like his father before him, he was a member of the German Baptist church, and was also for many years a preacher and elder.